Check positioning means for checkwriters



Dec. 23, 1952 'F. J. RODERICK 2,522,527

CHECK POSITIONING MEANS FOR CHECKWRITERS Filed Aug. 31, 1950 2SHEETS-SHEET l N l/O25 NATIEINAL BANK E; TRLIET EUMF'ANY 0 Warm/1940752295;? WM %/570 2:2 5 2; 2,5 3:: ar DBL-m5 1386- 1952 F. J. RODERICKCHECK POSITIONING MEANS FOR CHECKWRITERS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Aug. 31,1950 23m? 16 J %$& 25%? Patented Dec. 23, 1952 CHECK POSITIONING MEANSFOR CHECKWRITERS Frank J. Roderick, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application August 31, 1950, Serial No. 182,563

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in checkwriters,and is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 59,580, filedNovember 12, 1948, now abandoned.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a relativelysmall and compact portable or pocket-size checkwriter that is entirelypractical in operation and us and embodies a novel construction andarrangement of parts for properly positioning a check in the devicepreparatory to writing each succeeding number or character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a checkwriter of the typedescribed which embodies check-perforating elements which areconstructed and arranged to deposit a colored ink in and around theedges of the perforations at the top side of the check during initialpassage of the perforating elements through the check.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide acheckwriter having the novel features and advantages set forth which isof relatively simplified and rugged construction, is comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture and is entirely foolproof and quite easy tooperate and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features anddetails of the construction and operation thereof are hereinafter fullyset forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Fig. l is a view in plan of a checkwriter made according to the presentinvention and showing the same in relation to a check;

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the checkwriter;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a check illustrating the manner in which acheck may be prepared by the checkwriter of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 5-5, Fig. 1; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary perspective views respectively ofthe guide plate and base members of the checkwriter.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a checkwriter made inaccordance with the present invention comprises a base member I ofgenerally rectangular shape and composed, for example, of sheet materialsuch as metal. The forward edge of the base I is turned under to providean inwardly extending flange 2 which is spaced close to the'main portionof the base member 1. Between the flange 2 and the base I there isremovably inserted the outer edge portion of a tray or like member 3which is removably held in place by means of lip portions 4 pressed outfrom the base member I and arranged for cooperative engagement with theinner edge of the tray 3. The tray 3 is adapted to contain an ink pad 6of felt or the like.

Inwardly adjacent the outer flanged edge of the base member I andextending parallel thereto in overlying relation to the pad 6 in thetray 3 is a series of uniformly spaced groups of small openings 1 eacharranged in the form or outline of a, predetermined different character,number or the like. Thus, for example, from left to right in order thegroups of openings 1 may be arranged in the outline of the followingcharacters and numbers:- 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 as illustratedin Fig. l of the drawings.

Overlying the base member I is a guide plate 8 which is rigidly securedto said base member I along their respective inner edge portions, forexample, by means of rivets 9. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of thedrawings, the inner edge portion 8a of the guide plate 8 is downwardlyoffset with respect tothe remaining portion of said guide plate so thatthe latter portion normally is spaced above the base member I. The guideplate 8 is substantially coextensive with the base member I and has itsouter edge portion extending upwardly at right angles, as indicated atIll, whence it terminates in an inwardly extending flange H the purposefor which will be described hereinafter. At its outer edge the guideplate 8 is provided with a downwardly offset rib Ina which operates toprevent the main portion of the plate 8 from contacting a checkpositioned on the base member I when the plate 8 is urged downwardly byactuation of the keys M to write the check. By eliminating contact ofthe check by the plate 8 blurring of the printing is prevented and aclear, neat imprint on the check is assured.

There is formed in the guide plate 8 along the outer edge thereof aseries of uniformly spaced openings 12. Each of these openings l2overlies one of the groups of openings 1, for example, as shown in Fig.5. In addition to the openings I! provided in the guide plate 8, thereis provided in the space intermediate each adjacent pair of saidopenings l2 an aperture or window l3, the purpose for which will bedescribed hereinafter.

Overlying the guide plate 8 is a keyboard comprising a unitary structureincluding a series of relatively parallel flexible arms or keys I4.These arms or keys are spaced apart according to the spacing of thegroups of openings 7 and the openings I2 and are integrally connected attheir inner ends to a common mounting portion I which is fixedly securedwith respect to the guide plate 8 and base member I, for example, by theaforesaid rivets 9. The mounting portion I5 of the socalled keyboard isoffset with respect to the projecting arms I4 in the direction of theguide plate portion Ba so that the said arms normally are spaced abovethe guide plate 8 with their outer ends underlying the inturned edgeflange II of the guide plate 8, for example, in the relation shown inFig. 2 of the drawings.

The flexible arms or keys I4 are provided with suitablecheck-perforating elements I! comprising, for example, a platen I8having a group of a plurlity of pins I9 projecting from its undersideand arranged in the form or outline of the particular character definedby the group of openings I with which it is associated. The said pins I9are tapered toward their free ends and are constructed and arranged whena selected arm or key is depressed to pass through the underlying groupsof openings in the guide plate 8 and base member I into contact with theinking pad 6, for example, in the manner and relation shown in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings.

By reason of the foregoing construction and arrangement it will beapparent, with a check inserted properly between the base I and plate 8,that a depression of the arms or keys I4 will cause the group of taperedpins I 9 associated therewith to perforate and pass entirely through thecheck. Furthermore, the tapered shape of the pins operate to form aprogressively enlarged opening in the check with the result that thecircumscribing paper of the check wipes ink upon the pins thusdepositing the ink about the enlarged opening at the top side of thecheck. Furthermore, by this tapered pin construction, as the pins passthrough a check, the small ends of the pins engage the pad Ii, pick up asupply of the ink and then pass upwardly through the larger Openingsformed in the check without touching the check paper so that no ink isdeposited at or on the underside of the check. Consequently the freshsupply of ink remains on the pins until they are again depressed throughthe check and the ink wiped therefrom by the check paper on the downwardstroke as previously described.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision intermediatethe guide plate 8 and base member I of a check positioning bar 2I whichis adapted to be predeterminedly set with respect to the groups ofopenings I in the guide plate in order properly to position a check inthe checkwriter. As shown in Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings thepositioning bar 2i extends the entire distance longitudinally of thecheckwriter and has its opposite end portions looped or bent upwardly asindicated at'22 so as to project above the base I and plate 8 and thenpasses downwardly with its ends projected inwardly beneath the basemember I as shown. These upwardly looped portions 22 of bar 2|constitute stops against which a check may be engaged to position itproperly in the device and prevent the check from passing inwardlybeyond the bar 2|. In order that the check positioning bar 2| may beretained securely against accidental displacement in any position towhich predeterminedly set, rubber elements 23 are mounted on theopposite ends of the bar 2| and these rubber elements 23 engage firmlywith the undersurface of the base member I.

To cooperate with the looped ends 22 in preventing a check from passingbeyond the bar 2| when a check is inserted in the checkwriter, the bar2I is provided at equally spaced intervals therealong with a pluralityof ribs or offset portions alternately arranged to project upwardly anddownwardly, for example, as indicated at 24 and 25, respectively, inFigs. 4 and 7 of the drawings. These ribs or offset portions 24 and 25of the check positioning bar 2I are received within elongated slots orrecesses formed by pressed-out portions 26 and 27, respectively, in theguide plate 8 and the base member I. By the described construction andarrangement of the bar 2| with its oppositely offset ribs 24 and 25which engage within the slots or recesses provided by the pressed-outportions 26 and 21, it will be observed that an effective stop isprovided throughout the entire length of the checkwriter which preventsa check from being inserted into the checkwriter beyond the positioningbar 2 I.

In using the checkwriter of the present invention, a check with thepayees name written thereon is inserted into the checkwriter between thebase member I and guide plate 8 and the positioning bar 2| is adjustedor set so that with the inner edge of the check in engagement with saidbar 2I the portion of the check on which the amount or sum of money isentered is disposed in alignment or registry with the aforesaid openingsin the guide plate 8. The check is then properly positionedlongitudinally of the checkwriter and the amount or sum of money whichis to be paid by the check is perforated therein by depressing theproper arms IA of the keyboard. In this connection, use is made of theapertures or windows I3 to insure proper positioning of the checklongitudinally as succeeding characters are perforated therein. Thus,for example, and in writing a check say, for the sum of $1570.02 asshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the arm I4 carrying the character isfirst depressed. The check is then moved longitudinally to the rightuntil the is visible to the operator through the window I3 just to theleft of the arm carrying the sign. With the check thus positioned thesign arm is depressed to perforate that character in the check.Following this the check is again moved to the right until the 3; signperforated therein is visible to the operator through the window I3 justto the left of the arm bearing the numeral 1. This arm is then depressedto perforate the numeral 1 in the check, the same general procedurebeing followed in perforating the subsequent numerals until the entireamount or sum of the check has been perforated therein. To properlyperforate the desired amount or sum of money in a check it is onlynecessary to bear in mind that the check must be positionedlongitudinally of the checkwriter so that the last number or characterperforated therein is visible to the operator through the window I3which is just to the left of the arm or key to be next actuated toperforate the succeeding number or character in the check. When theamount of the check has been perforated therein as described, the checkmay be removed from the device and completed and signed in the usualmanner.

Each character or number perforated in the check is significantlycolored by the deposit of ink upon the edge portions of the checksurrounding each perforation by the passage of the tapered pins I9initially through the check as previously described. The tray 3 may bedetached readily from the base I to permit inking of the pad 6 therein,after which the said tray may be replaced.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the presentinvention provides a portable or pocket-size check-writer which embodiesa novel construction and arrangement of parts for properly positioning acheck in the device preparatory to writing each succeeding number orcharacter and wherein novel check perforating elements are employedwhich deposit a colored ink in and around the edges of the perforationsat the top side of the check during initial passage of the perforatingelements through the check.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been hereinillustrated and described it is not intended to limit the invention tosuch disclosure, and changes and modifications may be made therein andthereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a checkwriter, a base member having therein a plurality oftransversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses, a guideplate overlying said base and having therein a plurality of transverselyextending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses arranged alternatelywith respect to the elongated recesses in said base member, and anadjustable check positioning bar extending longitudinally between saidguide plate and base member and having oppositely disposed projectionsarranged alternately in spaced relation longitudinally thereof andextending respectively into the elongated recesses provided in saidguide plate and base member.

2. In a checkwriter, a base member having therein a plurality oftransversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recess, a guideplate overlying said base and having therein a plurality of transverselyextending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses arranged alternatelywith respect to the elongated recesses in said base member, and anadjustable check positioning bar extending longitudinally between saidguide plate and base member and having means at its end portionsfrictionally engaged with the end edges of the latter to secure the barfrictionally against accidental displacement from any position to whichadjusted, said bar having its opposite end portions pro'ected up- Wardlyabove the base and plate to constitute stops against which a check maybe engaged to properly position same.

3. In a checkwriter, a base member having therein a plurality oftransversely extending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses, a guideplate overlying said base and having therein a plurality of transverselyextending longitudinally spaced elongated recesses arranged alternatelywith respect to the elongated recesses in said base member, and anadjustable check positioning bar extending longitudinally between saidguide plate and base member and having oppositely disposed projectionsarranged alternately in spaced relation longitudinally thereof andextending respectively into the elongated recesses provided in saidguide plate and base member, said bar having its opposite end portionsprojected upwardly above the base and plate to constitute stops againstwhich a check may be engaged to properly position same.

FRANK J. RODERICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 687,752 Hewston Dec. 3, 19011,039,789 Page Oct. 1, 1912 1,143,556 Sinclair June 15, 1915 1,153,832Thorson Sept. 14, 1915 1,386,535 Rothe Aug. 2, 1921 1,720,655 Brown July9, 1929

